At what age to bring a friend?

[Maddykins06]

Our DD seems to be enjoying Disney less as I think she really wants to bring a friend or find someone to play with while we're there.

Do you think we should bring a friend for her (PRICEY!) or just try to meet up with other Disboard families?

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I think it depends on how old your DD is. My DD brought a friend with her to Disney for her 16th birthday and they had a blast. It was definitely pricey though esp. considering we fly from CA. There are just so many different things to consider though. How old the child is, how well you know the friend she wants to bring, will the parents let you bring their child, etc.

 

[tjkraz]

From your signature, I'm assuming the daughter is 5. I don't know that I would want to take responsibility for someone else's child in that age range. Heck, you might even have trouble convincing another child's parents to allow the trip to happen. Again, I don't think I would be comfortable letting my 5 year old go on vacation with another family.

Vacationing with friends and relatives is definitely fun but I think it needs to be more of a family thing at that age. If your daughter has a close friend and you'd be willing to host the entire family, that's one way to go. Relatives are another option--our kids had fun playing tour guide for grandparents and aunts even at that age.

Of course you don't have to look far to find some of the horror stories involved with inviting friends & family so that alone can be a dicey proposition.

Good luck!

 

[Sandisw]

My DD is 15 and this year we are allowing her to bring a friend. Our older daughter was allowed to bring a friend with her at that same age.

 

[mecllap]

That sounds like a bad precedent to set at that young an age, if you're planning on going fairly often over the years. Maybe there are some other things to change that would make the trip more fun for her. More pool time, more princess time, less commando time, etc.? Emphasize it as family time -- but do include her interests; take along a favorite stuffed animal, and her favorite food(s). I agree that being responsible for a non-relative of that age sounds risky.

 

[Snurk71]

We're just now offering it to DD (only child) who will be turning 11 in a couple of months.

Our plan is to cover everything except airfare and spending money.

 

[zalansky]

5 is way too young to bring a friend, I wouldn't even consider letting my child go away without us until age 11-12.

 

[MinnieGi]

Our DD is 10 and her and her BFF have just started taking little trips with the others families. BFF's family took DD on a spring break beach vaca for three days and we are planning on taking BFF for a weekend at the beach.

Three days was plenty for a first trip away from home with another family. In fact first night there DD had a belly ache and ended up getting sick to her stomach. She was in tears with me on the phone and I felt so helpless not being able to be with her. And even though she knows BFF's mom really well and BFF's mom is super sweet it still wasn't me!! Once she got through that first night's belly ache she had a super time. But still three days was plenty. BFF's mom and I have talked and plan to lengthen the amount of trip days away as the girls grow older.

Looking at your signature and seeing your DD is 5, I would never consider taking a child that young away from her family for a week nor would I consent for DD to go for a week.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If a five year old is bored at WDW, maybe you need to look at the attractions you are taking her to. No 5 year old should be bored at Disney, no matter how many times they go.

I have to agree that 5 is way too young to be taking along friends. I don't know any parent who would allow their 5 year old to travel with others. I certainly wouldn't be comfortable with that arrangement. I also can't imagine why you would want the responsibility of having another person's child along at that age either.

I would wait until at least the tween years to bring along a playmate, and I'd probably wait until at least 13.

 

[GoofItUp]

I agree with Diane that I'm not sure how a 5 year old is bored at Disney. Could you try some new experiences or ask her what she would like to do at certain times? My 4 1/2 yo LOVES going, but we do a lot of the young kid stuff and DH and I often "miss out" on some of the big rides we enjoy.

We do look forward to hosting families that have similar age children on future trips, but we aren't ready to even start thinking about taking another young child on our own. I would think around 10 would be a good time to start thinking about that.

 

[PatsMom]

When my daughter was 12 we went at Thanksgiving time and two other families in her class were going too. We met up with them several times through the week and she had a great time with her friends. After that, we resumed going as a family of 3.

When she turned 16 we decided that she and her friends were old enough that we were comfortable taking one with us. So that was the beginning of my "Disney kids". She's taken several friends in the last four years and had a great time. We pretty much pay for everything except some spending money. And even then I pick up a souvenir or two. We have some wonderful "family" pictures!

 

[SusieBea]

Our two daughters (now 25 and 29) began to bring a friend in 7th grade, around 12 years old. They attended a small Lutheran school and we knew their friends' families well. That age worked well in that situation. I would not have begun to do it any earlier.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I remember being about 9 or 10 and my best friend was going to stay overnight. I had always stayed at her place prior to that. Well, once it was time to go to bed her stomach started to hurt. Eventually her Dad came to get her and take her the two blocks home. She was fine once she got there - just homesick. I would not consider taking any friends such a long distance until a much older age - and even then make certain they had previously traveled away from home without their parents.

 

[kelann7]

If we were planning to go at the same time as you, I would definitely meet up with you so the girls could play together. My daughter is 6 and an only child and she has lots of fun with Mom and Dad, but sometimes wants to be with someone her age, so I know how you feel. I'm sure as she gets older, we will probably bring a friend along, but not until at least 10 or older.

We just went to Disney a few months ago and don't have any other trips planned. We are going on the Disney cruise next June, so we may have to wait until the following year to go back to Disney, unless I can sneak in a short trip between now and then. We'll see.

Kelly

 

[twinklebug]

One of the joys of vacationing is to spend 1:1 time with my kids that I just don't get during the regular work week and running about on weekends. If they bring friends along it takes that dynamic away.

At 5 (the age of your DD according to your signature) she should be learning to branch out and make friends. This might be why she doesn't seem interested in Disney as much... she's home sick for her friends! Most kids go through this - I did, my siblings did, my own kids all did. Your daughter will cope just fine - she just needs to learn social skills. Let her socialize at the pool, in the community halls, even waiting in line for rides. She'll be making new friends in no time and have stories to bring home to entertain her true best friends.

My son has made a few great friendships this way that have lasted to this day thanks to facebook (not saying 5 is a good age for facebook, but perhaps through Mom's account it might be fine)

 

[dzorn]

Along with the others I cannot imagine a 5 year old being bored at Disney. I also cannot imagine letting my DD go on a trip to Disney with another family at that age. They could easily get very homesick then what?

For us I doubt friend will be in the picture for a long time as my DD have each other and I have no desire to fund another persons vacation (rather use the money for a longer trip for the immediate family)

Denise in MI

 

[arthur06]

I have a 10, 4, 2 right now and I would not let any of them travel with another family for more then 1 night at there current ages.

I think when DS is 12-14 is when it will be considered. Part of our reluctance is #1. it is a "family vacation" and #2. Even if we let him bring a friend at 14, then we still have 8 y/o and 6 y/o and that is still a big enough challenge.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

The first trip we allowed my oldest to bring a friend to was when she was 16 and the other girl was 17. She has a real late birthday, and she went with same friend to France at 16 and I wasnt comfortable with that!! We brought another friend at age 17 to Disney and the same girl came to St. Maarten with us at age 18.

Now my son is 11, always begging, there is no way I would take a friend at his age. Maybe 14-15 at the youngest.

Age 5, no chance!! I dont think i would even take my neice! I brought my other neice at age 10 and that was difficult! Very picky eater, non-sleeper!!

 

[gray52]

Our DD seems to be enjoying Disney less as I think she really wants to bring a friend or find someone to play with while we're there.

Do you think we should bring a friend for her (PRICEY!) or just try to meet up with other Disboard families?

Bored of Disney at 5? 12 or 13 i can see... but C'mon... 5? I guess if you live close by and go a couple times a month... but still...

 

[papertraveller]

I wouldn't take a friend until your DD is much older. But that said, we are testament to how WDW and DVC can create wonderful new friendships.

Our DD 11 is an only child, but is very social. She makes friends quickly in the resort pool, and we always make sure that she has time to enjoy this as part of her time at WDW.

On our last couple of trips, she swiftly found kids that she hung out with during the course of our vacation. At Vero in March, she met up with a lovely family who we also enjoyed getting to know. But even better, one year ago she met a great kid in the BLT pool. They have been penpals ever since, and as it turns out, the family is booked to visit the same time this year. We will be joining up for at least one meal together, and I hope we will also enjoy Wishes with them at the TOPTW lounge.

Further, on the DCL cruise, through the DIS we met a number of great families including one that also happens to be DVC, and we are secretly hoping that sometime in the future we will see them again.